"Old Rip" the Horned Toad

According to records, in 1897 a Texas horned lizard was sealed in the cornerstone of the Eastland courthouse. In 1928, a new courthouse was erected, the prior cornerstone was opened and the horned toad was found alive. The small animal received great publicity and was displayed nationally. When it died the next year of pneumonia, it was placed in a glass-front casket, on view in the present county courthouse.